Bale of fibrous material and process of forming same



arch 1951 J. H. ZIMMERMANN BALE 0F FIBRQUS MATERIAL AND PROCESS OF FORMING SAME Filed Jul ze, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan Hf/lC/Ff/f Zimmerman/1 $513 Sthuwu March 1951 J. H. ZIMMERMANN BALE OF FIBROUS MATERIAL AND PROCESS OF FORMING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 1946 Jam fie/2 Pf/f Zzhmermamm March 27, 1951 J. H. ZIMMERMANN 546,809

BALE 0F FIBROUS MATERIAL AND PROCESS OF FORMING SAME Filed July 29, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 27, 1951 I BALE F FIBBOUS MATERIAL AND BRQQESe 0F MING Jan licn rikz mmer a ficr alewan Sen atras Oostkust, Netherlands East Indies el m n n ul 2a 1946, Serial. No 613 290; hi. the e herlan eb uary 25, 1 4.

Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires February 25, 1961 claims. (01. 190714;

1 This invention relates to the baling of long industrial fibers and more specifically to a meth: od of baling long industrial fibers in which a mass of fibers is arranged in a horizontal layer with the fibers running lengthwise of a baling box, the

feet of the fibers being at one end and the fibers being folded backward upon themselves at the ether end of the box, the fibers being so displaced that. in the fold they slant obliquely, succeeding layers being pressed into said box on top of said first layer to form a bale, each of said layers at one end having a fold in which the fibers slant obliquely and the folds of successive layers being placed at opposite ends of said baling box. The invention also includes the bale produced by the above described process, said bale comprising a plurality of. superimposed layers of fibers having their feet at one end of the bale and being folded obliquely back upon themselves at the opposite end of the bale, the folds and the feet. of the fibers insuccessive layers being reversed with respect to adjacent layers, all as more fully and hereinafter set forth and disclosed.

An object of this invention is to form bales of long industrial fibers with the-fibers folded in such a manner that the tendency of the fibers to break in the fold is eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to bale industrial fibers in such a manner that .a greater weight of fibers can be compacted within the same cubic dimensions than in previous baling processes.

' In the production of bales from long industrial fibers it is highly important that these bales be made very compact as the freight cost is deter? mined by their cubic measure rather than by their weight. Prior to my invention it was .difii:

cult to form a compact bale because no method was known of foldin the thin ends of the fibers so that they would not crack at the folds. Ac.- cording to prior methods of baling the ends were folded with the fiber running vertically in the fold. A fold of this type will crack under the pressure required to compact the bale, so that it has always been necessary to ship the fibers in bales so large that the freight charge was an appreciable part .of thecost price.

I have discovered how the above and other obj cts ca c mplishedxand the d fi ulties overcome by a -;simple modification of the usual proc d re used n the ba i e f industr al fiber Acc roine to the m hod o my invention the Q hers n h folds ar d splac d i such 1. that in the folds they slant obliquely so th thi end li pa a lel with the bod es fibers but are displaced the ho inc tal dirgq: tion whereas in t e r or; method tho hin 9 ay direct y beneath the m in bodies oi the bers. The required displacernerrtpan be acco pl shed in a iou w re eith r by ha si' 01 by l pin the fibers between two rod and placin h min the described mann r befor pressing them in the h ilin or pressin box.- p rf rm his latter metho a balms has of r ater width han hat of the layer i used toallow for the displacement of the folded ends.

My invention can be explained in greater do: tail by reference to the accompanying drawings which show more or less diagrammatically how the.fi-bers are arranged. during my bali ng operation as compared. with former processes.

embodiments of bales that are formed lay the process of my invention. are also illustrated.

Fig. :1 is an end view of the trestle used in my invention,

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the trestle,

Fig. 3 is a :planview of the trestle} Fig. Avis an-elevation of the clamping bar,

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the clamping rod,

Fig. 6 is an-elevation of the filling frame,

Fig. is an end view of the filling frame,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the filling frame.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an assembly'ineluding two trestles, a baling box and a balingframe used in my process, V

Fig. 1 0 is a perspective view of thetrestle showing a layer of fibers lying across its top in position o tra sfe to the filli items,

1 i P r ecti vi w o t e ayer 9? bers befor di acemen ille e i g slt W the grip ing bars a mov s he tr s le i 12 s a sim lar ew oi the fibers i er p ace ent and read to be t ansferred t t e ins frame,

.Fi -.3 i it perspe tive iQ 9; 9 9m; 9? 1 91? fil in ir -me s win the fibe s be ng drawn over i -1 6ml r e Home F ee a .rle n w o fiber held oathe ri pin here as n his triers disp acement,

Fig. is a similar view after the fibers have been displaced,

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the body portion of a layer of fibers formed in the baling process with the feet at one end and folded at the other end, as in the process of the prior art,

Fig. 17 is a side view of the layer of fibers of the prior art shown in Fig. 16,

Fig. 18 is an end .view of the folded end of the layer of fibers of the prior art shown in Figs. 16 and 17 after pressing,

Fig. 19 is a similar view showing how the fi-' bers of the prior art frequently become distorted in the fold on pressing,

Fig. 20 shows a fiber strand previously folded with the vertical fold of the prior art showing the undesirable cracking which results when the fibers are unfolded, V V N Fig. 21 is a plan view of a layer offibers having the oblique fold of the present invention at one end,

Fig. 22 is a side view of the layer of fibers of Fig. 21 showing the manner in which the fibers are folded in the layer according to the method of my invention,

Fig. 23 is an end view of the folded end of the layer of fibers shown in Fig. 21, after pressing,

Fig. 24 shows the type of fiber used in this invention,

Fig. 25 is a partial elevation showing one end of a modified filling frame,

Fig. 26 is a vertical cross section through the end of the modified filling frame taken on the line 26-26 of Fig. 27,

Fig. 2'7 is a plan view of the end-of the modified 'filling frame shown in Figs. 25 and 26,

'Fig. 28 is an end View of the modified filling frame with the clamping lids removed, the view being takenin the horizontal plane,

Fig. 29 is an elevation of one of the cooperating clamping plates used in the modified filling frame,

Fig. 30 is a plan view of the clamping plate shown in Fig. 29,.

Fig. 31 is. a plan view of a cooperating clamping'plate which cooperates with the plate shown in Figs. 29'and 30, V

Fig. 32 is an elevation of the plate of Fig. 31,

Fig. 33 is an end view of the clamping plate shown in Fig. 29,

Fig. 34 is an end view of a clamping plate showing the handle used for operating the same,

Fig. 35 is an end view of the clamping plate shown in Fig. 32,

Fig. 36 is an end view of a bale having oblique folds in which the fibers all slant in the same direction, while Fig. 37 is an end view of a bale having oblique foldsin-which the folds of successively superimposed layers are folded obliquely in opposite directions togive a herringbone pattern. I

In the various figures like parts are designated by like reference numerals.

' As shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the trestle used in my process comprises two ends I connected by a cylindrical top 2 over which fibers are spread. Extending from one side in a horizontal direction is a plank 3 and on the opposite side is a gutter or indentation 4. Mounted directly below the gutter and protruding beyond the edges of the ends are arms 5. The width of the trestle corresponds to the width of the baling box and accordingly to the width of the finished bale. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the clamping device, employed for removing fibers from the trestle and for transferring them to the filling frame, consists of a bar 6 having a longitudinal recess on one side which is adapted to receive the rod 1 with a layer of fibers in between. Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a filling frame comprising two longitudinal sides 8 supported by the vertical ends 9. The sides 8 are connected at each end by a slanting board It. Each of the two longitudinal sides has an elevation H and a notch l2 at both ends. 7

In operation a layer of fibers is spread evenly across the trestle with their thick ends resting on the plank 3 and their thin ends extending slightly below the gutter 4. Thebar 6 is placed in the gutter 4 behind the layer of fibers and the layeris gripped between the bar (3 and the rod 1 at a distance from the feet of the fibers equal to the length of the baling box as shown in Fig.10. The layer of fibers is then transported to the filling frame as shown in Fig. 13.

In Fig. 25 is shown a filling frame modification comprising reinforcing plates l4, a space 15, holes l6, gates l1 and ribbed clamping plates I9 and 2D, the plates having handles 2| and mounted with their ribbed faces together and with their rounded ends protruding through the holes H5 in such manner that they can be dis-' placed longitudinally with respect to each other in order to displace the fibers in the fold, as described below.

In baling long industrial fibers of the type shown in Fig. 24 having a thick or foot end and a; thin end it is conventional practice to.

arrange a mass of fibers in a horizontal layer with the thin ends folded back upon the bodies of the fibers as shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18 before pressing them into a baling box [3. When these layers are placed in the baling box the feet and folded ends are reversed in successive layers. The width of the horizontal layer of fibers corresponds to the width of the baling box and the folded thin ends lie directly beneath the main. bodies of the fibers as shown in the drawing.

Folding the fibers is advantageous since a great deal of waste is prevented which would other-'5 wise result if the'thin ends were cut to form fibers of uniform length. The layers arranged in this manner are compressed in the baling box and as explained above it is advantageous to compress the layers into as'small a cubic content as possible to save freight charges. The use of high pressures during pressing has not been possible owing to the fact that the fibers when folded vertically, as shown in Fig. 18 are likely to crack when straightened as shown in Fig. 20.

In my improved process the folded thin ends of the fibers lie parallel with but are displaced in a horizontal direction with respect to the main bodies of the fibers as shown in Fig. 21.

further oblique displacement of the fibers in the bend-a twist rather than a sharp bend. I have found that bales made of layers folded in this manner are compressed to a smaller cubic content than bales made of layers folded accordingto prior methods, when using the same pressure;

Various methods may be used for producing the. required displacement of the fibers in the folds This causes the fibers in the fold to slant obliquely as shown in Fig. 23. When folded in this manner the pressure applied during baling results in a" avera es backward underneath the layer of fibers and simultaneously b ing pulled. to one. side soitha they are displaced in the horizontal, direction with respect to-themain bodies of, the fibers.

A second more advantageous method consists in arranging a mass of fibers in a layer across: a support, such as a trestle (-Figs; f to 3 and-6130 8) with their feet hanging on one side, as Fig; l0 and their thin ends on theother side. The soarrangedfibers arethen picked 'up with a pair er gripping bars (Figs. 4, 5, ll and 12) at the point-wherethey areto be folded, that" is, at. a point which is a distance from the feet corresponding to the length of the baling box. Two workmen are required, one at each end of the gripping bars. The gripping bars preferably consist of a rod 1 which is placed in the bight of the fold and a bar 6 having a longitudinal recess on one side which is adapted to receive the rodwith the layers of fibers in between. While the layer of fibers is held between the gripping bars, the latter being grasped by the workmen in one hand, one of the workmen pulls the thin ends of the fibers toward himself and the other the thick ends while both relax their grip on the gripping bars. This causes the fibers to slant obliquely in the fold. The layer of fibers held by the gripping bars in the manner described is then transferred to the baling box, as in Fig. 13. The baling box which is equipped with a ram may also be equipped with a baling frame (Fig. 6) which comprises a slanting board [0 at either end across which the fibers may be dragged as they are introduced into the box. The slantin board tends to spread out the fibers into a layer of uniform thickness. The gripping bars are released when the folded ends of the fibers have been pulled into the filling frame on top of the baling box, thus laying on the previously dropped layer. The same two workmen equipped with gripping bars and another trestle stationed at the other end of the baling box introduce another layer of fibers into the baling box with the feet and folded ends in reverse position to the first described layer. This procedure is continued with operation of the ram to com-press the added layers until the baling box is full and the bale completed.

If desired the required oblique displacement of the fibers in the fold can be accomplished with the aid of a pair of fiuted bars l9 and 2b in the following manner. These fluted bars with the fluted sides facing each other are placed in a support such as the filling frame as in Figs. 25 to 28 in such a manner that they can be moved longitudinally with respect to each other. The above described gripping bars with the fiber held between them are then clamped between the fluted barsand the latter are then moved longitudinally with respect to each other. The pressure on the clamping bars is released during this movement so that as a result of the operation the fibers are given the desired oblique displacement.

While I have described what I believe to be the most advantageous embodiment of my invention it is evident of course that various modifications can be made in the specific procedures described without departing from the purview of my invention. As stated previously my method can be performed by hand or by means of a trestle and loading form. The displacement of the fibers in the fold can be accomplished at any time before the pressing operation and either before or after laying the fibers in the baling box. The bales may be made of any convenient size 6; depending uponthe length of the: fiberas will be. understood by those skilled in: the art; Other modifications of my invention which fall within the scope of the following claims: will'iba immee 7 diately evident tothose skilled in the art;

What I claim is:

1. In the baling of 1mg industrial fibers -the process which: comprises arranging a massof fibers in a horizontal layer with the fibers run-- ning lengthwise of a baling box; the" feet. of the. fibers being at one end and: the fibers: being-fold ed backward upon themselves at -t-heotherend' of the box, pressing succeeding layers: of fibers into said box on top of said first layer to form a bale, each of said layers at one end having a fold and the folds of successive layers being placed at 0pposite ends of said baling box, and prior to the pressing step displacing the folded ends of the fibers with respect to the remaining portions so that in the fold the fibers slant obliquely, whereby cracking of the fibers in the fold is prevented.

2. In the baling of long industrial fibers, the

process Which comprises arranging a mass of,

fibers in a horizontal layer with the fibers running lengthwise of a baling box, the feet of the fibers being at one end and the fibers being folded backward upon themselves at the other end of the box, displacing the fibers so that in the fold they slant obliquely, arranging a second layer of fibers on top of said first layer with a similar fold at the first mentioned end and the feet of the fibers at the opposite end of the box, the fibers in said fold also being displaced so that they slant obliquely, placing a third layer of fibers on top of said second layer with the fibers running and folded as in said first layer, the fibers in the fold being slanted in the same direction as in said first fold, continuing the described procedure and pressing the successive layers of fibers into the balin box to form a bale with superposed folds of fibers interspersed with fiber feet at the opposite ends thereof, the fibers in said folds at each end of the bale slanting obliquely whereby cracking of the fibers in the folds is prevented.

3. In the baling of long industrial fibers, the process which comprises arranging a mass of fibers in a horizontal layer in abaling box with the fibers running longitudinally, the feet of the fibers being at one end and the fibers being folded backward upon themselves at the other end of the box, displacing the fibers so that in the fold they slant obliquely, arranging a second layer of fibers on top of said first layer but with the fold and the feet of the fibers being reversed relative to the first layer, arranging a third layer of fibers on top of said second layer with the fold and the feet of the fibers again being reversed, the fibers in the fold of said third layer being displaced so that they slant obliquely in a direction opposite to that of the fibers in the fold of said first layer, adding additional layers of fibers to the box with the folds and feet of the fibers being reversed in position in successive layers and pressing the layers of fibers into the box to form a bale having superposed folds of fibers in layers interspersed with layers of feet at the opposite ends thereof, the folded fibers at each end slanting obliquely in a herringbone pattern whereby cracking of the fibers in the folds is prevented.

4. A bale of long industrial fibers comprising a plurality of superposed layers of fibers having their feet at one end of the bale and being folded back upon themselves at the opposite end of the bale, the folds and the feet of the fibers in successive layers being reversed with respect to adjacent layers, the fibers in said folds slanting obliquely whereby cracking of the fibers in the folds is prevented, the said layers of fibers being compressed together.

5. The bale of claim 4 wherein the fibers in 5 the folds at either end of the bale all slant obliquely in the same diagonal direction.

6. The bale of claim 4 wherein the fibersin each of the superposed folds at the ends of the bale slant obliquely in a direction opposite to that of the fibers in adjacent folds thereby producing a herringbone pattern.

JAN HENDRIK ZIMMERMANN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 496,221 Gibon Aug. 25, 1893 678,134 Parker July 9, 1901 843,325 Canfield Feb. 5, 1907 852,015 Duncan Apr, 30, 1907 1,255,160 Haney Feb. 5, 1918 2,418,550 Edwards Apr. 8, 1947 

